Industrial Packing and Crating in Vancouver

The Basics of Flexitanks

So you need to ship a liquid but do not want the hassle of shipping it via tanker cars? Well then a flexitank might be right up your alley. Flexitanks are a new shipping technology for shipping non-regulated liquids that can fit inside of a standard 20’ shipping container.

They are not yet approved for shipping hazardous or regulated liquids, so make sure to keep that in mind. Here are the basics of just what a flexitank is and things to consider if you are going to use one.

What Is It?

A flexitank is a large bladder made of polymers that can be filled with liquids. They are designed to be fit inside of a standard shipping container and then filled to capacity. They are made of a variety of materials depending on the application you are going to be using it for such as:

Single and Double Layer Plastics

Multi-Layer Plastics

PVC

Loading and Transportation

A flexitank is designed to be placed inside the shipping container before it is filled with what is being shipped. Shipping companies with experience in this type of packing can also design special cradles to keep the flexitank from moving around inside of the shipping container once it is loaded and ready to be shipped out.

Loading of the tank is done either by a port on the top or the bottom of the tank. Liquids are pumped in and the tank will inflate to accommodate.

What Can Be Shipped in a Flexitank?

Any non-hazardous or non-controlled liquid can be shipped using a flexitank. This includes foodstuffs like beer, wine, cooking oils or molasses. Other things that can be shipped would be inert chemicals, water, motor oils, and other industrial products.

The material that the tank is made out of will dictate what type of container that you can use for shipping. Make sure if you are shipping foodstuffs to take any health and safety precautions that you need to ensure that your items do not spoil in transit.

Precautions to Take When Using a Flexitank

The first and one of the most important things to think about when considering using a flexitank is to make sure that your shipping container is clean. The inside should contain no rust, debris or most importantly sharp items that could puncture the tank. Sweep any nails, tacks or sharp refuse leftovers out before putting the flexitank inside your shipping container.

Remember to take into account the environments that your shipment might be passing through on its journey to its destination. Extreme temperature or colds might have an effect on the liquid that you are shipping, requiring you to use a climate controlled care.

Cratex Group is experts in Industrial Packing. Contact Us today with any questions about shipping odd items like liquids or using specialized equipment like a flexitank.